For the first time in its history, the IFA 2009 (trade fair for consumer electronics and home appliances) International Press Conference will be taking place on the island of Malta.
With an elaborate pitch, Malta was able to cruise past all other Mediterranean countries.
This event with high-calibre participants, bringing together around 300 journalists from all over the world with representatives from industry in the run-up to the annual IFA in Berlin, will be held in the coastal resort St Julian’s and in Valetta in April 2009.
The gfu (the association for the advancement of consumer electronics) headed by president Dr Alexander Pett and chairman of the supervisory board Dr Rainer Hecker and Hans-Joachim Kamp president of the Consumer Electronics association in the ZVEI (German Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers' Association) and vice-president of the ZVEI, together with the management of Messe Berlin and the executive director responsible for IFA, Jens Heithecker, have decided in favour of this historically significant island between Italy and North Africa.
Decisive in this respect were not only the location and good access internationally—there are non-stop flights to Valletta from virtually every European metropolis. Major factors in addition to these were the wide range of scope offered by the island, the perfect support on the spot and a true 'We want to" attitude demonstrated by all contact persons there.
Air Malta and the Hilton Hotel displayed excellent offers and a high degree of flexibility. They are the official partners of the IFA 2009 International Press Conference.
And Malta's Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism, Mario de Marco, recognised the international significance of the event as an opportunity and underscored the importance of ensuring success for the event.
Mario de Marco: 'Malta has evolved into a top destination in the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions) segment in recent years. We have not just become a member of the EU and introduced the euro; our government has also made considerable investments in the infrastructure of our islands. It has become popular due to its short distances, and the hotel industry has grown enormously. Particular investments has been carried out in 5-star and 4-star segments whish has grown from 1.674 and 9.688 beds (5-star and 4-star respectively) in 1994 to 7.469 and 15.117 in 2008 respectively. Alongside these, there are numerous professional DMCs and excellent providers of services and technology available on the spot. Malta offers full service at a top level and on terms offering true value for money'.
This is why the Parliamentary Secretary for Tourism is particularly pleased that the expertise of his country will be proven at such an important meeting. There's no better calling card than that!
The Malta Hilton, integrating an up-to-date conference centre, has been selected as the official hotel for the congress. All 300 representatives of the media will stay there.
The Hilton's Director of Sales & Marketing, Julian Diacono, comments on the approaching conference: 'We are naturally very pleased to have been finally selected as the venue for this important event and have been able to make the running against our excellent competitors. The complex situated on a peninsula and the numerous facilities available doubtlessly contributed to the decision in our favour. Everything at our hotel corresponds to the latest technical standards; added to this, we have an enthusiastic team of staff who have just one mutual aim: success with satisfied guests.'
Incidentally, Messe Berlin has chosen a historic spot for the gala evening, a spot where Maltese hospitality has remained alive for centuries: where once the Order of the Knights of Malta attended to the sick and helped those in need is today the Mediterranean Conference Center.
Responsible for the overall concept and organisation of the IFA 2009 International Press Conference is the Hamburg agency Vitamin-e. The regional partner and on-the-spot expert chosen was the destination management company Intertravel agency from Valletta.
'The agencies enhance each other and work in good partnership with us as the principal organiser, something which is absolutely essential,' emphasises IFA Executive Director Jens Heithecker: 'Client and agency must see each other as equal partners: a guarantee for successful cooperation!'
For more information, visit IFA 2009
Image: St, Julians Portomaso
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